LEE FURLONG made up for lost time to send Runcorn into the last eight of the Uni-Bond League Challenge Cup.

It's a competition the Linnets have won three times but not since their championship-winning season of 1980-81 which was coincidentally the last time they visited Saturday's opponents, then known as Netherfield, for a competitive game.

Top scorer Furlong, having missed three games through suspension, returned with his 11th goal of the season in the 56th minute, heading home a right-wing cross at the far post.

Furlong was well supported by fellow former Burscough striker Gary Martindale, who caused a lot of problems for the Lake District side's defence.

And the Linnets could have consolidated their lead when Colin Flood saw an effort strike the base of a post before being cleared.

Yet ambitious Kendal have been going well, lying fourth in UniBond League First Division, and it needed three outstanding late saves from Robbie Holcroft to thwart an attempted home fightback.

A bonus for in-form Premier Division outfit Runcorn was a start for Mark Phillips since he broke an arm in September, butmidfielder Flood and centre-half Lee Siadankay succumbed to knocks.